Autobody News: Paint Zoo Keeps Chaos Caged With Vibac Fine Line Tape

Carlsbad, CA, April 4, 2017 (Newswire.com) - When it comes to painting a vehicle, the devil is always in the details, but precision is most critical for custom painters like Franny Drummond, owner of Paint Zoo, a custom paint shop in Langhorne, PA.

"Paint Zoo is unique because we don’t farm anything out,” Drummond said. “We are a one-stop shop, and we do it all – bodywork, spraying, pinstriping, airbrushing and even portraits. We do collision repair work also, but I prefer specializing in artwork, and with art, detail is everything!”

"It peels easily and sticks well. It feels fantastic. Plus, it has helped improve our productivity."

Franny Drummond, Owner of Paint Zoo

Drummond has had a love for art since youth, and after attending International Fine Arts College in Miami, FL, he spent a couple of years painting surfboards before moving into the automotive industry. “There’s just so much more you can do. I’ve always loved the culture surrounding hot rods, lowriders and motorcycles, and painting for this industry allows me to make my art into rolling billboards.”

In 1998, Drummond founded 'Drummond Custom Airbrush', but he changed the name of his business to Paint Zoo in 2007 because he felt it better represented the “chaotic” way in which he works. Drummond’s creativity is evident in every facet of his business, with samples of his skills decorating his reception area and shop. But it is his attention to detail that has generated a lot of buzz about his talents.

Focusing on detail requires the right equipment. Paint Zoo utilizes a variety of tools for their custom work, including the industry’s best airbrushes, pinstripe brushes, solvent-based paints, a variety of custom paint materials, and two spray booths. Last year, Drummond discovered another tool that has been particularly useful – Vibac’s Fine Line Masking Tape. “Our distributor gave us Vibac’s tape to try, so we used it and discovered how well it works. It’s really helpful when we’re painting flames and graphics because it’s so easy to use. It’s a great product.”

The Vibac Group is a multinational enterprise and one of the world’s leading companies in the pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and specialty packaging films industry. Vibac’s Fine Line Masking Tape, which is offered in 1/8" and 1/4" by 36 yards and comes in light blue and yellow, boasts easy application and no residue among its features. “It peels easily and sticks well," Drummond said. "It feels fantastic. Plus, it has helped improve our productivity. We gave it a shot and found that it’s a good tape from a fantastic brand. The product’s quality is comparable to the top brands in the industry, but it’s more cost-effective. At Paint Zoo, we love Vibac’s tape.”

The fine line masking tapes manufactured by Vibac utilize innovative technology to make them tough and conformable as well as waterproof and solvent-resistant. The crisp, fine-line edge aids with precision for custom paint jobs, and the product is designed to be printable and die-cuttable.

These types of innovations are vital in Drummond’s world. “The custom painting industry is definitely growing with a lot of new painters and some really cool up-and-coming artists in the field,” Drummond noted. “We are seeing a lot of trends where old-school styles are coming back, and with colors, pearls and flakes constantly changing, we have to stay up-to-date on the fastest, easiest ways to deliver quality artwork.”

In addition to using Vibac’s recyclable fine line tape, Paint Zoo stays current with environmental concerns by recycling materials through local body shops. The shop is also invested in the future, supporting local charities and promoting events such as Concerts in the Park and the Hemp Heals Festival, which supports sustainable agriculture and health.

Although Paint Zoo designs custom artwork for cars and motorcycles, the shop also specializes in painting helmets, especially hockey masks. Drummond has acquired a name and great reputation for himself, attracting customers from around the world looking for a unique way to express their individuality. A huge hockey fan, Drummond has painted goalie masks for greats such as Steve Mason, Brian Boucher, Michael Leighton, Johan Backlund, Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov.

Drummond has been featured in a number of magazines and videos which showcase his impressive artistic sensibilities. His talents were also displayed at AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST 2016 Conference and Trade Show, where he demonstrated his painting techniques.

Love for art in all of its forms shines through in Drummond’s work. In fact, he boasts his willingness to work on just about any medium, stating he will work on “whatever takes paint and is fun to do! It all starts with the concept, and then I create something I hope the customer will love. I enjoy what I do, and I like challenges!”

Paint Zoo
Langhorne, PA
(215) 891-8403
www.paintzoo.com

Company At A Glance...
Type: Custom Paint
Number of Employees: Two
In Business Since: 1998
Locations: One
Combined Production Space: 2,200 square feet

Vibac
Company Contact:
​Monty Seawright
(800) 557-0192
[email protected]
www.vibacgroup.com

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Source: Autobody News